Deformable Container

ABSTRACT

A deformable container that is suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher. The container defines an interior volume for a fluid, and includes an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume. A portion of the container is deformable upon reaching a predetermined temperature to reduce the size of the interior volume for forcing the fluid out from the container via the outlet. A seal at the outlet is openable by the fluid forced from the interior volume when the size of the interior volume is reduced to control the escape of fluid from the container.

The present invention relates to a deformable container, in particular adeformable container suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleanerin an automatic dishwasher.

BACKGROUND

It is known that automatic dishwashers require intermittent cleaning toremove residues, such as limescale, which may have built up in themachine over time. Typically, such residues are removed by operating theautomatic dishwasher with a container inside of it which containsdishwasher machine cleaner. During the operation of the dishwasher, theheat generated inside of the dishwasher causes the dishwasher machinecleaner from the container to be dispensed into the dishwasher to removethe residues. After operation of the dishwasher, the container isremoved from the cleaned dishwasher, and the container then disposed of.

Dishwasher machine cleaner formulations typically include, but are notlimited to: water; acidifiers such as citric acid; builders such asHEDP; non-ionic surfactants; and hydrotropes such as sodiumcumenesulphonate. Further information on dishwasher machine cleanerformulations is contained within WO 2007/060439, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

WO 2009/095638 describes an existing container for use in dispensingdishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher. The containertherein disclosed has a wax closure at one end. When the container isplaced in the dishwasher with the wax closure facing down and thedishwasher then operated, heat generated inside the dishwasher causesthe wax plug to melt allowing dishwasher cleaner inside the container tobe dispensed.

The number of components which make up the container from WO 2009/095638(including the main bottle; the wax seal; and the screw-cap) make thiscontainer difficult and time-consuming to produce. There is the need,therefore, for an improved container for dispensing dishwasher machinecleaner in an automatic dishwasher which is simpler to manufacture, andeasier to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda deformable container, the container defining an interior volume for afluid, and comprising an outlet fluidly connected to the interiorvolume, and a first seal at the outlet;

wherein a portion of the container, upon being heated to a predeterminedtemperature, is caused by the heat to deform to reduce the size of theinterior volume for causing the fluid from the interior volume to openthe first seal and pass out from the container via the outlet.

The present invention thus provides a deformable container with fewcomponents, and which is easy and cheap to manufacture. Since the sizeof the container is reduced during use, this also makes the containereasier to dispose of once used.

In its most general form, the deformable container is adaptable for usein any heated environment where fluid requires dispensing at apredetermined temperature.

Where the deformable container is intended for use in an automaticdishwasher or a washing machine, preferably the predeterminedtemperature is between 50° C.-75° C., more preferably 65° C.-75° C.

Preferably, the first seal is operable to open, and the size of theinterior volume is operable to partially reduce, at a firstpredetermined temperature; and the size of the interior volume isoperable to further reduce at a second predetermined temperature whichis higher than the first predetermined temperature. In such cases, thefirst predetermined temperature may be between 50° C.-55° C., and thesecond predetermined temperature between 65° C.-75° C.

To prevent the container from prematurely leaking any fluid through theoutlet, preferably the container further comprises a frangible seal atthe outlet. Preferably the frangible seal is operable to be snapped offor torn off by the user just prior to the container being placed in aheated environment.

Preferably, the first seal is linear, rather than curved, to improve theflow of fluid through the seal.

To further control the escape of fluid from outlet, preferably thecontainer further comprises a plurality of corrugated channels which donot substantially reduce in size when the container reaches thepredetermined temperature. Preferably the plurality of corrugatedchannels are located downstream of the first seal.

The container may comprise a rib which is not substantially deformablewhen the container reaches the predetermined temperature. Preferably,the rib extends around a circumference of the interior volume. The ribhelps to retain the structure of the deformable container at thepredetermined temperature, and works with the deformable portions fromthe container to help guide fluid out of the container when it isdeformed.

When the container comprises a rib, the container may comprise aninterior volume comprising substantially no sharp edges in a region thatis distal to the outlet and that is adjacent the rib. The amount ofpermissible sharpness in these edges will depend on the size of thecontainer. Preferably however, such edges should have a radius ofcurvature of at least 3 mm.

Preferably, the container comprises a region proximal to the outletwhich defines a concave indentation for assisting with the removal offluid from the container when the container reaches the predeterminedtemperature, wherein the concave indentation defines a flow path for thefluid to the outlet which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet.

In some cases, the interior volume from the container may comprise aplurality of smaller volumes which are fluidly isolated from each otherprior to the container reaching the predetermined temperature. Thisarrangement allows, for example, two incompatible liquids which requireseparation from each other prior to use, to be kept separated until thepoint when the container is deformed.

Particularly in situations where the deformable container is intendedfor use in an automatic dishwasher or a washing machine, preferably theinterior volume is less than or equal to 300 ml prior to the containerreaching the predetermined temperature.

The size of the interior volume is preferably operable to reduce bybetween 70%-90% when the container reaches the predeterminedtemperature.

The reduction in the size of the interior volume may be achieved by aportion of the container which expands into the interior volume when thecontainer is at the predetermined temperature. Preferably however, thereduction in the size of the interior volume is achieved by the portionof the container being made of a material comprising, or consisting of,a shape-memory material, such as a shape-memory alloy or a shape-memorypolymer. An example of a suitable shape-memory polymer is PET(polyethylene terephthalate).

The first seal may comprise a filleted/chamfered edge which is exposedto the interior volume for assisting with the opening of the first sealwhen the container is heated to the predetermined temperature. In thisway, when the container is heated to the predetermined temperature, anyfluid in the interior volume of the container is able to exert a peelingforce on the filleted/chamfered edge to help peel the first seal open.

As mentioned previously, preferably the container is for application ofa liquid detergent to the interior of an automatic dishwasher. In suchcases, the liquid detergent is preferably a dishwasher machine cleaner.

To assist with the mounting of the container when it is used in anautomatic dishwasher, preferably the container comprises an attachmentmeans for attaching the container to the interior of an automaticdishwasher. In such cases, and where the container additionallycomprises a rib, the attachment means is preferably located on the rib.

Preferably, the interior volume contains a dishwasher machine cleanerformulation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda use of a deformable container according to the first aspect in anautomatic dishwasher.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for dispensing a fluid from a deformable container defining aninterior volume containing the fluid, and comprising an outlet fluidlyconnected to the interior volume, and a first seal at the outlet, themethod comprising the steps of:

placing the container in a heated environment;

heating the container in the heated environment to a predeterminedtemperature;

wherein upon the container being heated to the predeterminedtemperature; a portion of the container is caused by the heat to deformto reduce the size of the interior volume for causing the fluid from theinterior volume to open the first seal and pass out from the containervia the outlet.

In this method, preferably the seal opens, and the size of the interiorvolume partially reduces, at a first predetermined temperature; and thesize of the interior volume further reduces at a second predeterminedtemperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature. Inthis case, the first predetermined temperature may be between 50° C.-55°C., and the second predetermined temperature may be between 65° C.-75°C.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for manufacturing a deformable container defining an interiorvolume for a fluid, and comprising an outlet fluidly connected to theinterior volume, and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprisingthe steps of:

passing two adjacent sheets of material together through a plurality ofsequential heated dies such that the heated dies shape the sheets ofmaterial into the shape of the deformable container.

In this method, preferably the plurality of sequential heated diescomprises a first set of heated dies and a second set of heated dies;and preferably the method comprises the steps of:

passing the two adjacent sheets of material together through the firstset of dies to shape the adjacent sheets of material into a partlyformed container comprising the interior volume;

injecting fluid into the interior volume of the partly formed container;and

passing the partly formed container containing the fluid through thesecond set of dies to shape the partly formed container into thedeformable container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described, by example only, with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 2A shows a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B shows a front side view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C shows a top view of the container of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 2D shows a side end view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A shows a first stage of operation of the container shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3B shows a second stage of operation of the container shown in FIG.1; and

FIG. 3C shows a third stage of operation of the container shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4A shows an image of a container similar to the container shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4B shows an image of the container of FIG. 4A after having beenused in an automatic dishwasher;

FIG. 4C shows an image of the container of FIG. 4B after having beenused in an automatic dishwasher and whilst still inside the tray of anautomatic dishwasher.

FIG. 5 shows a table illustrating the effectiveness of variousdifferently shaped containers when heated.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of a different container in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a container having a curved weak seal and aclose up view of the curved weak seal.

FIG. 8 shows an image of a weak seal of a container similar to thecontainer shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a side end view of the container and the fluid-actuatedseal of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference in particular to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D, there is showna container 10 for dispensing a fluid. The container is predominatelymade of a shaped memory-polymer, such as PET, and defines an interiorvolume 15 for holding a fluid, such as dishwasher machine cleaner. Theinterior volume is divided into a first and second smaller region 20;25.Each of the two smaller regions is fluidly connected to a plurality ofparallel corrugated channels 30 located at the top of the container. Thechannels 30 act as an outlet for the fluid to escape from the containeras will be described, and do not reduce in size when heated.

Prior to use, the top ends of the plurality of channels 30 are coveredby a frangible seal 35 which is operable, in use, to be snapped off ortorn off by the user along a fault line 40 extending substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of the corrugated channels 30.

Located between the bottom end of the plurality of channels 30 and theinterior volume 15 is a fluid-actuated seal 45. The fluid actuated seal45 extends across the entire width of the parallel corrugated channels30 and preferably extends in a linear direction 46 which issubstantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugated channels30.

In an example the fluid-actuated seal has a width, defined by thedistance between the corrugated channels 30 and the interior volume 15,between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, for example 1.8 mmto 2.2 mm. The seal width may be 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm,2.5 mm and/or 2.6 mm. The fluid-actuated seal may have a uniform widthor the width of the fluid-actuated seal may vary, for example thefluid-actuated seal may have an area with a smaller seal width toprovide a non-uniform seal strength.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the fluid-actuated seal 45comprises a curved contour. As shown in FIG. 8 the weak seal comprises afirst curved contour 47 located between the plurality of channels 30 andthe interior volume 15 of the first smaller region 20 and a secondcurved contour 48 located between the plurality of channels 30 and theinterior volume 15 of the second smaller region 25. The first curvedcontour 47 directs the fluid towards a first apex 47 a and the secondcurved contour 48 directs the fluid towards a second apex 48 a so thatthe internal pressure is greater and the seal starts to open at thispoint. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the apex of first andsecond curved contours 47;48 comprises a discontinuity in the curvaturei.e. the apex 47 a;48 a defines a single point.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the width of the seal isnon-uniform. The width of the seal is less close to the apex of thecurve. The reduction in the width of the seal weakens the seal at thispoint relative to the wider seal. The narrower weaker seal requires alower pressure to open compared to the wider seal. In the exampleillustrated the seal width gradually declines away from the apex of thecurve. The width of the seal may be 3 mm away from the apex and 2 mm atthe apex of the curved contours 47;48.

The fluid-actuated seal may also have a chamfered edge. As illustratedin FIG. 9 the fluid-actuated seal 45 may have a chamfered edge 51located adjacent to the first and second smaller region 20;25. Thechamfered edge gradually increases the seal pressure from the outer edgebetween the interior volume 15 to the centre of the seal 45 andtherefore reduces the initial peeling force so that fluid pressurerequired to open the fluid-actuated seal is reduced.

Each of the first and second smaller region 20;25 comprises a front sidewall 50 and a rear side wall 55 which are deformable when heated to apredetermined temperature. A strengthening rib 60, which does notsubstantially deform when heated to this predetermined temperature, andwhich preferably has a greater thickness than the front side wall 50 andthe rear side wall 55, extends around the side and top portions of theinterior volume 15 to provide rigidity to the container 10 at thepredetermined temperature.

A partitioning rib 65, having similar properties to the strengtheningrib 60, extends from the fluid-actuated seal 45 to the bottom of thecontainer 10 to isolate the first smaller region 20 from the secondsmaller region 25.

A fluid port 80 is provided at the top of each the first and secondsmaller region 20;25 to allow fluid to be inserted therein during theforming process of the container 10 as will be described.

The container 10 is also provided with attachment means, shown in FIG. 1as hook shaped portions 71 in the strengthening rib 60, for allowing thecontainer 10 to be attached in an upright position to an object,although more preferably between the supports of a dishwasher tray whenthe container 10 is located in an inverted position inside a dishwasher,as will be described.

Operation of the container 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, and also FIGS. 4A-4C.

Initially, a user grips the container and snaps off the frangible seal35 along the fault line 40 (see FIG. 3B). Although not shown in theFigures, rather than being snapped off, the frangible seal 35 may takethe form of a tear-off strip which tears along the fault line 40. Oncethe frangible seal 35 is removed, this exposes the plurality of parallelcorrugated channels 30. The exposed top surface from these channels 30forms the outlet 70 through which fluid can escape from the container10.

Once the outlet 70 is formed, the container 10 is then inverted andplaced between the supports of a dishwasher tray, as shown in FIG. 3C,and such that the hook shaped portions 71 engage against the bottom ofthe dishwasher tray (see FIG. 4C). In this inverted position, fluidcontained in the first and second smaller region 20;25 is prevented frompassing to the outlet 70 via the corrugated channels 30 by thefluid-actuated seal 45, which at this stage remains closed.

The dishwasher is then operated with the container 10 located inside.

As the interior of the dishwasher heats up, the heat generated withinthe dishwasher causes the deformable container to heat up. In the caseof a container made of PET, once the container reaches a temperature ofapproximately 50° C.-55° C., the front side wall 50 and the rear sidewall 55 of the container deform slightly inwardly. The initialdeformation of these side walls 50;55 causes the size of the first andsecond smaller region 20;25 to reduce, which increases the pressure ofthe fluid contained within these regions 20;25.

The increased pressure of the fluid exerts a pressure on thefluid-actuated seal 45 which forces it to peel open, allowing an initialportion of the fluid from the container 10 to pass through the channels30 and out the outlet 70 into the dishwasher.

As the interior temperature inside the dishwasher continues to increasetowards the intended operating temperature of the dishwasher, typicallyaround 65° C.-75° C., the increase in temperature causes further inwarddeformation of the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 of thecontainer 10 such that the container is deformed into a flattened stateas shown in the images of FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C. In this state, any fluidin the interior volume is forced by the flattened side walls 50;55through the fluid-actuated seal 45 and out of the outlet 70. In thisflattened state shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the interior volume of thecontainer is around 10%-30% of its original size as shown in FIG. 4A.

It will be seen from FIG. 4C that the hook shaped portions 71 in thestrengthening rib 60, which engage against the bottom of the dishwashertray, help keep the container in its inverted position, even when it isdeformed. This is important since fluid escape from the container isoptimized when the container is in an inverted position as shown in FIG.4C, rather than in a flat position. The hook shaped portions 71, whenengaged against the bottom of the dishwasher tray also keep thecontainer straight in use and prevent it from folding like a book ontoitself when it deforms. Such folding is disadvantageous since it reducesthe amount of fluid which can escape from the first and second smallerregions 20;25. The hook shaped portions 71 also prevent the container10, once emptied and deformed, from being displaced inside thedishwasher by the pressurized water jets emitted from the rotating sprayarm of the dishwasher.

The extent to which fluid is forced out from the first and secondsmaller region 20;25 depends on the shape of the first and secondsmaller region 20;25, and the extent to which the front side wall 50 andthe rear side wall 55, which are made of a shaped-memory polymer,inwardly deform when they are heated to the predetermined temperature.

To improve the extent to which fluid inside the first and second smallerregion 20;25 is drawn towards the channels 30, the regions of the frontside wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 which are away from the outlet 70and which are proximal to the strengthening rib 60 and the partitioningribs 65 should comprise no sharp edges, since these sharp edges whendeformed can create narrow capillaries which retain fluid inside thefirst and second smaller region 20;25, even after these regions 20;25have deformed. To minimize such fluid retention inside the first andsecond smaller region 20;25, preferably the regions of the front sidewall 50 and the rear side wall 55 which are proximal to thestrengthening rib 60 and the partitioning ribs 65 comprise a fillet 90.

To further improve the extent to which fluid inside the first and secondsmaller region 20;25 is drawn towards the channels 30, each of the frontside wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 may comprise a concaveindentation 75 in a region proximal to the channels 30 and the outlet 70which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet, and which does notdeform when heated. FIGS. 4A-4C show this most clearly, where it can beseen that the concave indentations 75 have the same shape both beforeand after the container 10 has been heated and deformed in an automaticdishwasher.

Having the fluid-actuated seal 45 formed in a straight line, rather thanas a curve, also results in improved transfer of fluid from the firstand second smaller region 20;25 through to the channels 30.

To illustrate how the shape of the first and second smaller regions20;25 affects how these regions deform and expel fluid when heated, FIG.5 shows various differently shaped deformable containers before andafter use inside an automatic dishwasher operated at 65° C. As can beseen in FIG. 5, the pillow shaped container having the concaveindentations 75 and the fillet 90 is the most effective of the showncontainers at expelling fluid.

Although the deformable container shown in the Figures has beendescribed as being suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner inan automatic dishwasher, it will be appreciated that the container maybe modified for use in any situation where a fluid requires dispensingin an environment only when the temperature of the environment reaches apredetermined level. One such situation includes dispensing detergentinside a washing machine.

The choice of shape-memory polymer for the deformable portions of thecontainer 10 will depend on the intended application for the container10. When used inside a dishwasher, the deformable portions of thecontainer 10 are preferably predominately made of a shape-memory polymerwhich has a glass transition temperature (T_(G)) in the region of theoperating temperature inside a dishwasher. Accordingly, for use inside adishwasher, the selected shape-memory polymer should have a glasstransition temperature of between 50° C.-75° C. PET is one such suitableshape-memory polymer.

Once the choice of shape-memory polymer has been made for the container10, manufacture of the container 10 is achieved by heating the containerabove its glass transition temperature and then shaping the container inthese conditions, for instance in a thermoforming process or a stretchblow moulding process, into a stressed shape. Importantly, the portionsof the container that are stressed in the forming process are theportions of the container that are intended to be deformed in use of thecontainer. These portions include the front side wall 50 and a rear sidewall 55; but not the partitioning rib 65, the strengthening rib 60, orthe concave indentations 75. Once the stressed shape is achieved thecontainer 10 is constrained in this stressed shape and simultaneouslycooled back below its glass transition temperature. Once cooled, thecontainer 10 is set in the stressed shape, which is the shape shown inFIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D.

When the container 10 is subsequently heated above its glass transitiontemperature in use, e.g. inside a dishwasher, the container 10 isallowed to revert to a shape which is less stressed. This less stressedshape corresponds to the shape of the container when it is inwardlydeformed.

From the above, it will be appreciated that how the container 10 ismanufactured, and placed in a stressed shape, affects the extent towhich the container inwardly deforms when it is heated to thepredetermined temperature. It will therefore be appreciated by theskilled person that the exact material selected (together with itsassociated glass transition temperature) for the container, and theparticular manufacturing conditions used to shape the container in itsstressed shape, will thus vary depending on the intended application forthe container.

The forming process used to create the container 10 can be performed ina number of different ways, as required, to allow for fluid to beinserted into of each the first and second smaller region 20;25. In oneforming process, the container 10 is formed by passing two adjacentsheets of material through a series of sequential heated dies, whereineach heated die operates to partly shape the sheets of material into theshape of the container 10. In one operation, the adjacent sheets ofmaterial are passed through a first set of heated dies such that thesheets form the container 10 but without its fluid ports 80 sealed. Fromthis partly-formed state, the partly-formed container is placed in anupright position and fluid is then inserted into each of the first andsecond smaller regions 20;25 via the unsealed fluid ports 80. Once thecontainer is filled, the partly-formed container is passed through afurther set of heated dies to seal the fluid ports 80 such to seal thefluid inside the first and second smaller regions 20;25, and such tocreate the container 10.

In relation to the faces of the portions of the heated dies which formthe adjacent sheets of material into the strengthening rib 60, and anypartitioning rib 65, preferably these faces are textured, such ascorrugated. In this way, when these faces from the heated dies contactthe portions of material which form the strengthening rib 60 (and anypartitioning rib 65), the die faces deform these portions of materialsuch they share a greater area of contact compared with if they wereformed using non-textured die faces. This additional contact areaimproves the sealing properties of the strengthening rib 60 and thepartitioning rib 65.

It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to thecontainer herein described. For instance, it will be appreciated thatrather than the interior volume of the container being made of twoisolated regions 20;25, the interior volume may be separated into anynumber of such regions (including only one) depending on the number ofpartitioning ribs 65 (if any) used.

The size of the container 10 and its interior volume 15 may also varydepending on the intended application for the container 10. When beingused to hold dishwasher machine cleaner, the interior volume may ideallyhold no more than 300 ml, preferably no more than 250 ml, and furtherpreferably no more than 200 ml, of dishwasher machine cleaner.

The dimensions of the container may also vary depending on the intendedapplication for the container 10. When being intended for use in anautomatic dishwasher, the maximum height of the container may beapproximately 135 mm, the maximum width of the container approximately150 mm, and the maximum depth of the container approximately 35 mm.

The reduction in size of the interior volume need not necessarily beachieved using a shape-memory material. A similar reduction in size maybe achieved using a bag-in-box type container as shown in FIG. 6. Inthis arrangement, the container 100 may be provided with a rigid outerhousing 102 in which is located a resilient container 104 defining aninterior volume for a fluid to be dispensed. A fluid-actuated seal 145,which may be similar to the fluid-actuated seal 45 described in FIG. 1and FIGS. 2A-2D, provides an outlet for the fluid from the resilientcontainer 104. A heat-transfer fluid 103 (such as air), which expandswhen heated, is located between the rigid outer housing 102 and theresilient container 104.

In operation of the container 100 shown in FIG. 6, when the container100 is heated to the predetermined temperature, the heat-transfer fluidbetween the rigid outer housing 102 and the resilient container 104expands causing the resilient container 104 to inwardly deform, whichincreases the pressure of the fluid inside the resilient container 104.As the pressure exerted on this fluid increases, the pressure this fluidexerts on the fluid-actuated seal 145 also increases. Ultimately, thepressure on the fluid-actuated seal 45 forces it to open, allowing fluidout of the container 100.

1. A deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluidcomprising: an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume; a firstseal at the outlet; and a deformable portion of the container; whereinupon subject to heat at a first predetermined temperature, thedeformable portion of the container reduces the size of the interiorvolume; and wherein the reduction in size of the interior volume is suchthat if a volume of fluid were contained in the interior volume of thecontainer prior to deformation, upon deformation of the deformableportion of the container, at least a portion of fluid from the interiorvolume would cause the first seal to open, and thereafter at least aportion of fluid would pass out from the container via the outlet. 2.The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising avolume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-75° C. 3.The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the first seal isoperable to open; and wherein upon subject to heat at a secondpredetermined temperature which is higher than the first predeterminedtemperature, the deformable portion of the container further reduces thesize of the interior volume.
 4. The deformable container according toclaim 3 further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interiorvolume of the container; wherein the first predetermined temperature isbetween 50° C.-55° C.; and wherein the second predetermined temperatureis between 65° C.-75° C.
 5. The deformable container according to claim1 further comprising a frangible seal at the outlet.
 6. The deformablecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is linear.
 7. Thedeformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a pluralityof corrugated channels which do not substantially reduce in size whenthe container reaches the first predetermined temperature.
 8. Thedeformable container according to claim 7, wherein the plurality ofcorrugated channels are located downstream of the first seal.
 9. Thedeformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a rib whichis not substantially deformable when the container reaches the firstpredetermined temperature.
 10. The deformable container according toclaim 9, wherein the rib extends around a circumference of the interiorvolume.
 11. The deformable container according to claim 10, wherein theinterior volume comprises no sharp edges in a region that is distal tothe outlet and that is adjacent the rib.
 12. The deformable containeraccording to claim 1 further comprising a region proximal to the outletwhich defines a concave indentation for assisting with the removal offluid from the container when the container reaches the firstpredetermined temperature; and wherein the concave indentation defines aflow path for the fluid to the outlet which decreases in cross-sectiontowards the outlet.
 13. The deformable container according to claim 1,wherein the interior volume comprises two or more smaller volumes whichare fluidly isolated from each other prior to the container reaching thefirst predetermined temperature.
 14. The deformable container accordingto claim 1, wherein the interior volume is less than or equal to 300 mlprior to the container reaching the first predetermined temperature. 15.The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the size of theinterior volume is operable to reduce by between 70%-90% when thecontainer reaches the first predetermined temperature.
 16. Thedeformable container according to claim 1, wherein the deformableportion of the container is made of a shape-memory material.
 17. Thedeformable container according to claim 16, wherein the shape-memorymaterial is a shape-memory polymer.
 18. The deformable containeraccording to claim 17, wherein the shape-memory polymer comprisespolyethylene terephthalate.
 19. The deformable container according toclaim 1, wherein the first seal is made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, andpolypropylene.
 20. The deformable container according to claim 1,wherein the first seal comprises a filleted/chamfered edge which isexposed to the interior volume for assisting with the opening of thefirst seal when the container is heated to the first predeterminedtemperature.
 21. The deformable container according to claim 2, whereinthe fluid comprises an automatic dishwasher liquid detergent.
 22. Thedeformable container according to claim 21, wherein the automaticdishwasher liquid detergent is a dishwasher machine cleaner.
 23. Thedeformable container according to claim 21 further comprising anattachment configured for attaching the container to the interior of anautomatic dishwasher.
 24. The deformable container according to claim 23further comprising a rib which is not substantially deformable when thecontainer reaches the first predetermined temperature; wherein theattachment is located on the rib.
 25. The deformable container accordingto claim 1 further comprising a volume of fluid contained in theinterior volume of the container; wherein the fluid comprises adishwasher machine cleaner formulation.
 26. (canceled)
 27. A method fordispensing a fluid from a deformable container defining an interiorvolume containing a volume of the fluid, the container including anoutlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at theoutlet, the method comprising: heating the container to a firstpredetermined temperature; wherein upon a deformable portion of thecontainer being heated to the first predetermined temperature, the sizeof the interior volume is reduced such that a portion of the fluid fromthe interior volume opens the first seal and passes out from thecontainer via the outlet.
 28. The method according to claim 27 furthercomprising heating the container to a second predetermined temperature;wherein the size of the interior volume partially reduces at the firstpredetermined temperature; and wherein the size of the interior volumefurther reduces at the second predetermined temperature which is higherthan the first predetermined temperature.
 29. The method according toclaim 28, wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50°C.-55° C.; and wherein the second predetermined temperature is between65° C.-75° C.
 30. A method of manufacturing a deformable containerdefining an interior volume for a fluid, the container including anoutlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at theoutlet, the method comprising passing two adjacent sheets of materialtogether through sequential heated dies such that the heated dies shapethe sheets of material into the shape of the deformable container. 31.The method according to claim 30 further comprising injecting fluid intothe interior volume of a partly formed container; wherein the sequentialheated dies comprises a first set of heated dies and a second set ofheated dies; wherein passing two adjacent sheets of material togethercomprises: passing the two adjacent sheets of material together throughthe first set of dies to shape the adjacent sheets of material into thepartly formed container comprising the interior volume; passing thepartly formed container containing the injected fluid through the secondset of dies to shape the partly formed container into the deformablecontainer.
 32. (canceled)